I Try

Chapter 9 - Our Happily Ever After

Lauren’s Point of View

My eyes felt sore and heavy as I pulled into the parking lot of Nash’s apartment complex. If I were an impulsive person, I would have turned the Prius around and straight back to Zack’s arms. But I had more self-control than that, and I wasn’t going to risk everything we’d built for it to come tumbling down at the wrong time. 

I undid my seatbelt, intending to get out of the car, but something stopped me. My reflection in the rearview mirror, strained, anxious, taunted me. Despite the stress that showed on my face, I could still see the resemblance to my family. I felt the familiar tug of sadness, but it had lessened considerably in the last year. 

The night sunk in around us, all seated in the living room of our childhood home. Brent had his phone in his palm, a smile fixed on his face that gave away he was texting Sophia. I grinned despite the slight hurt I felt, because I could see how happy he was. Beth, on the other hand, was seated in the seat closest to the patio door, biting her pinky nail. She only did that when she was upset. 

“B?”

Her eyes raised to satisfy my acknowledgement. “Hm?” she lowered her hand to her lap. 

“You okay?” I questioned. My stomach stirred worry in a brewing pot of anxiety. Nash was due to pick me up in a few minutes for a cake tasting thing we had scheduled for the afternoon, however our dad wanted us to spend time together, so we had to move it to the evening. Dad had yet to get home, so we’d all played card games like we used to as kids. Jonah and Todd were still in an intense match of Speed. 

Beth nodded in response to my inquiry yet I didn’t believe it. However, the doorbell rang before I could do anything in response to my disbelief. I got up and bid my siblings goodbye, ensuring they would babysit Charlie for me until I returned. Beth was staring off into the distance. 

I swung the door open and was met with Nash, who looked especially tired and spent. Purple accented his pale complexion under his eyes. I wanted to ask if he was alright, but I realized I had left my cell phone on the counter and retraced my steps to get it. 

Picking it up, I couldn’t help but see Beth running up the stairs as if someone had lit her heels on fire. I sent a curious glance toward Brent, who shrugged in response and stood up, following her, per my silent request. 

Nash’s eyes were empty as I shut the door behind us, trailing behind him into the night. 

The day surfaced in my mind because I couldn’t fathom how I had let the obvious signs that my sister was in trouble. She was sick, vacant, emotional. Everything I had experienced during my pregnancy and I still hadn’t picked up on it. 

When I got my hands on the lowlife who’d knocked her up he’d be sorry he had ever been born. 

“Hey,” I was greeted by Nash, who was sitting on the new couch. I walked over and sat next to him. It felt stiff and unnatural, but I patted his hand. “You okay?”